Human tails and associated spinal anomalies.

Human tails have been described intermittently in the literature, typically as isolated cases with varying forms of malformation. Attempts have been made to differentiate "true" tails from "tail-like" appearances. Unless identified, underlying occult spinal disorders, mass effect, and/or tethering of the spinal cord may lead to progressive neurologic damage. We report three patients with "tails" and the associated spinal anomalies.